Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Fundamental Physics Research

TL;DR

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered high energy physics research practices, shifting towards online communication and affecting scientific productivity, as evidenced by data from arXiv, INSPIRE, and journal websites.

Contribution

This study provides an analysis of how the COVID-19 pandemic changed research workflows and communication methods in high energy physics.

Findings

Increased reliance on online communication tools.

Changes in publication and preprint submission patterns.

Adaptation period for new working styles.

Abstract

The outbreak and pandemic of the COVID-19 has dramatically changed the world in almost every aspect. Its impact on the community of high energy physics is also apparent. In this analysis we show that social distancing has greatly changed the working style of the physics community. In the field of high energy physics the online communications and video conferences are becoming daily routine arrangements. However, such a change of working styles may need some time to get used to. The influence can be seen by scientific outcomes harvested from arXiv, INSPIRE databases and JHEP, PRD official websites.